I was pleased to see the results of impartial research on the science, technology, engineering and math workforce in the commentary "Bill Gates' tech worker fantasy." It confirms what I and many tech workers have observed: The tech industry is misleading people to believe there is a shortage of Americans qualified to fill STEM jobs.

The tech industry's motive is to get Congress to continue to expand the availability of H-1B temporary visas for foreign workers to create a supply of cheap, young labor.

I suppose this shouldn't be a surprise. More disappointing is how willing Congress has been to cave in to tech industry lobbying. It's time for members of Congress to back up their claim that they care about promoting a strong middle class with well-paying, skilled jobs.

James Musso; Lake Zurich, Ill.

Only one in four STEM degree holders is in a STEM job, yet companies complain of a skilled-worker shortage. We asked: What's going on? Comments from Twitter and Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Preference, that's what's going on. A candidate has to look and be who the company wants so it upholds its image.

— @YouBoomCache

Companies value experience over a degree. In business, it's always who you know. These are the hurdles all grads face.

— @JeffOstach

It's tough to get a job when companies advertise entry level as requiring two years' experience.

— @sullyrules

Looking for an internship this summer, my son queried about five Intel hiring managers for positions. Despite being a junior in computer systems engineering and having a high GPA, no one responded, not even with a "thank you for your interest."

If tech companies' tales of woe were real, they would be desperate to get such a candidate into the pipeline. Truth is, the engineering job market is flush with job-seekers, and tech companies are reaping the benefit.

— Derek Davis

Some college graduates realize they don't like the field they studied and get a job in one different from their degree.

You can't expect all STEM-educated workers to stay in the field just because that was their area of study.

— Jay Guild

Bill Gates does not represent STEM. Microsoft, Facebook and other tech companies employ only a portion of the technology workers.

— Keith Williams

Ask anyone who has been replaced in a tech job if his replacement was given a higher wage than he was making. This is economics 101. Flood the market with labor and watch as wages fall.

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand the law of supply and demand.